Record changer



March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY

I RECORD CHANGER Filed May 1l, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 -M 1NVENT0R. h-f

TTORNEY March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY

v RECORD CHANGER Filed May 11, 1942 7 Smeets-sheet 2 AATTORNEY March s,1946. P. s. G'AY l 2,396,094

RECORD CHANGER Filed May ll, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet :5

' lNvENToR @aai tend P. GAY

RECORD CHANGER Filed May l1, 1942 March 5, 1946.

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lo" RECORDS A INVENroR www BY March 5, 1946.v R s GAY'2,396,094

' RECORD CHANGER Filed May l1, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l2" RECORDSINVENTOR. M l'ead gag BY g mi ATTORNEY -March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY2,395,094

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 1l, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 .'P. S. GAY

RECORD CHANGER Filed May ll, 1942 March 5, 1946.

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 MOTOR F'l G I6- A INVENTOR.

M ORNEY Y @,B H O S; m H 6 www Mm mm 84% AT T .ci t E. R

R m w J M mw. CS ma MASTER SWITCH SUPPLY LINE HO'V A C Patented Mar. 5,1946 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD CHANGER Paul Stead Gay,Charlotte, Mich., assignor to Wilcox-Gay Corporation, Charlotte, Mich.,a

corporation of Michigan Application May l1, 1942, Serial No. 442,436

Claims'.

vision of a single adjustment handle in th record changer, themanipulation of which'will selec.

tively set the record changer for playing ten inch or twelve inchrecords or will. if desired, remove the record changer supporting postsout of position so that records may be played without the interventionof the record changer.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a pair ofopposed, supporting members for a plurality of records, the said membersbeing so arranged that the automatic movement of a single member willpermit a. record to drop down on the turn table.

Another object of the present invention is the construction of a recordchanger which may readily be attached to a'phonograph and in whichsubstantially all of the mechanism is housed in a single casing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a changer whosechanging mechanism cannot be made to operate a record when the recordsupporting means are in other than the proper position or when themechanism has been properly arranged for manual operation.

Still another object is to provide a changing v mechanism which will notbe damaged by.`force fully picking up or holding the playing arm while arecord is being played and one in which stopping of the mechanism ortable at any point in its cycle will not be harmful.

Another object of my invention is to replace the mechanical triggerusually used by a pair of electrical contacts which may be closed by theslightest pressure of the moving pickup arm at the correct time foractuation of the record changing mechanism thus securing more reliableoperation and requiring less pressure on the wall of the record groove.

A further object of my invention is to relieve the motor which drivesthe turntable of the phonograph from any extra power requirements fortripping or actuating the changer mechanism.

stm a lfurther `object of my invention is to eliminate variations in themechanical relationships of important parts of the changing mechanismsas the changer is adapted to the changing of varying record sizes.

These and many other objects of my invention will be apparent, and wherenot apparent, will be pointed out in the following description anddrawings, in which:

` Figure 1 is a top view in perspective of a phonograph on which ismounted the record changer of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the record changer 'operatingmembers and phonographv operating members with the ,base plateof thephonograph removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of one of therecord changing elements of my invention taken from the point 3 ofFigure 1,1ooking in the direction oi' the arrow.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective, partly in cross-section, taken online I-l of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective, partly in crosssection, takenon line5--5 of Figure 4, looking -in the direction of the arrows. l

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the record changing apparatus with thebase plate of the phonograph removed and with the phonograph apparatus,shown in dotted lines, taken on line 8-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the record supporting poststaken on line 1-1-1 of Figure ,1, and on line 1 1 of Figure 6 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 6 showing a diierentposition of the elements thereof.

, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-I0 of Figure 9,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken from line iI-Ii of Figure 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line |2-I 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the arrangement of thevarious switching devices in my record changer. f

` Figures 14, 15 and 16 are top views oi' the housing with thetop4 plateremoved showing a feedin spring and the operation thereof for causingthe needle on the play-back arm to enter the first groove in the record.

Figure 17 is a view in perspective of part of the feed-in mechanism ofFigures 14 to 16.

Referring now to Figure 1, I have here shown in dotted lines, aphonograph turn-table 20 mounted on the base plate 2| of the phonographapparatus, which in turn forms at least the portion of the top of aphonograph cabinet. The turn-table 20 rotates on a spindle 22 which isjournaled in the base plate 2|. Spindle 22 has a vertical extension 24which may either be integral with the spindle 22 or secured thereto inany suitable manner and which serves accurately to position the stack ofrecords 25 with respect to the record changer elements hereinafterdescribed.

The operation of the turn-table and the phonograph apparatus is morefully set forth in my application Serial No. 320,823, filed February 26,1940. Briefiy, however, a motor 38 (see Figure 2 as well as Figure 1) issecured to the underside oi' base plate 2l by bolts 3l, 3| positioned inperforations in the base plate by means of rubber -tured between thearbor 38 of the motor shaft 33 and the flange 45 of the turntable 28.Operation of the motor, therefore, causes rotation of the shaft 33which, throughthe arbor 38 and the rubber tire 40 causes rotation of theidler 38 which, in turn, by reason of the -fact that it bears againstand drives the dependent flange 45 of the turn-table 20, effectsrotation of the turntable.

The operation of all of these elements is more particularly set forth,as above pointed out, in my application Ser. No. 320,823.

I may also provide, in connection with the phonographic apparatus, meansfor cutting a When the turntable 20 is in record blank which is placedon the tum-table.

This cutting means is also shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a,cutting arm 50, carrying a cutting head 5| which, in turn, positions acutting stylus 52. The cutting arm is journaled for rotation in avertical plane by the pins 53 secured to the platform 54. The platform54 is, in turn, mounted on the rotatable post 55 which lis journaled inthe member 55a mounted on the base plate 2|, as is described in myapplication Serial No. 320,823.

The movement of the cutting arm 5|) to a horizontal position where thestylus 52 is in engagement with a record surface causes the post 55 tomove downwardly under the influence of the compression spring 58 (seeFigure 2 as well as Figure 1). A lateral feed arm 51, secured to theasoaoae Y The record cutting elements (and more particularly describedin my application Serial No. 320,823) form no part of the presentinvention but have been generally described since they are intended tobe embodied in the apparatus in connection with which the presentinvention is to be used.

A play-back arm 50, in which a play-back needle 6| maybe mounted, ishorizontally rotatable in the Journal 82 so that the needle 8| mayreadily follow the grooves of a record for the purpose of translatingvariations in the grooves into sound impulses.

The p1ay-back arm 80 is also rotatable about the pins 83 in a verticalplane, so that the playback arm may be removed either automatically ormanually from the record to permit removal or change of records.

The record stack 25 is supported in elevated position above theturn-table 28 by the opposed platforms 10 and 1I, which are mounted onposts,

which rotate respectively in the vertical Journals 12 and 13.

Journal 13, as is seen particularly in Figures 2 and 9, as well as inFigure 1, is mounted in the top of the housing 15 in the record changingmechanism. The journal 13 has at its lower end an annular shoulder 18.which bears against a top plate 18 of the housing, and a threaded end 11which projects into the housing. 'I'he Journal,

13 is securely positioned in place by means of the washer 19 and nut 80which engage the threaded end; the portion of the top plate 18 throughwhich the journal passes is clamped between the shoulder 13 and thewasher 13, thus securely positioning the Journal 13.

A rotatable post 82 is positioned in the Journal 13 and projects throughthe bottom thereof. A lever arm 84 is secured to the projecting bottomend of the post 82 (see Figure 4 as well as Figure 9), the opposite endof the lever arm 84 being rotatably secured to the pin 85 which iscaptured in the slot 88 of the operating plate 81 of the record changermechanism.

Since the link 84 is flxedly secured to the post 82, it will now beobvious that movement of the operating plate 81 longitudinally withinthe housing 15 will result in rotation of the post 82.

The record changer platform 1| is secured 50 to the top end of the post82 in any suitable lower end of the post 55, carries a pawl-58 which isengaged with the threads of the screw 53 when the post 55 is lowered.Screw 53 is driven through a reduction gear arrangement in the housing60 from the spindle 22 of the tum-table 20. Consequently, when thecutting arm 50 is lowered into position, the pawl 58 engages the screw58a and drives the cutting arm centripedally in accordance with therotation of the turntable.

manner as, for instance, by the bolt 83. There is also secured to thetop end of the post 32 the record separating plate 8|; the edge 92 ofwhich is spaced from the platform 1|- by the thickness of one record bythe spacer 32a as seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 9.

Normally, with respect to Figure l, the left hand side of the lowestrecord in the stack is supported on platform 1i. When the post 82 isrotatedby longitudinal movement of the plate 81, in a manner to be morespeciiically described, the supporting platform 1I is rotated out ofsupporting position so that the lowest record in the stack is no longersupported thereon. Simultaneously, since the plate 9| is also secured tothe post 82the edge 92 thereof is rotated into supporting position. Butsince the edge 32 of plate' 3| is spaced from platform 1| by thethickness. of a single record, 'the said edge 32 enters the record stack25 immediately above the top surface of the lowest record in the stackand just beneath the bottom surface of the second lowest record in thestack. Y

II-HEINBAUGH Feb. i4 Nite Pats.- 42342 The lowest record inthe stack isnow released able at the journal I2,- while the opposite end from thesupporting platform 1| by the 'rotation thereof, and the left hand edge92 thereof drops down, as shown by the dotted line of Figure 1. Theplatform 10 at the right hand end remains stationary during this entiremovement. The edge of the lowest record is supported on this platform10.

When the edge 94 drops down, it is necessary that the vertical'spindle2l, at least the portion thereof which registers with the records in thestack, be of substantially less diameter than the central perforation 91in each of the records. This difference in diameter will permit the edge94 of the record 25 to drop down. The distance from the perforation 91in record 25 to the platform 10 is thus increased and the edge 95 of therecord slides off the platform 10 when this distance becomes greaterthan the radius of the' platform 10 and at its left hand end (seeFigure` Now. when the plate 81.

1) by the platform 9|. moves longitudinally in the opposite direction,as

hereinafter described, thus rotating the post 02A counterclockwise withrespect to Figure 1, the edge 92 of platform 9| slides out from underthe stack 25; while simultaneously, the platform 1| slides into positionbeneath the stack, and the left hand end of the stack drops down onplatform 1|.

The stack 25 is now ready for a repetition of the foregoing operationwhereby on rotation of platforms 1| and 9| in a clockwise direction,once more the lowest record in the stack will again be permitted to dropdown on the turntable 20 or on the records which are resting on theturn-table.

The record changing apparatus of the present invention may readily beadjusted to operate on records of various sizes. Commercial records areusually made in ten inch and twelve inch diameters. Accordingly, arecord changer should readily be adjustable not merely selectively totake at least these two sizes of records, but also so that the elementsthereof may be moved out of position when a non-automatic operation isdesired.

This type of adjustment is readily accomplished by means of the handle(Figure 1) and the interconnecting link I 0| (Figures 2 and 8) and bythe rotatable mounting of the housing 15 of the record changingmechanism about the journal 62 (see also Figure 9). The apparatus is soarranged that manual rotation of the handle |00 to move the platform 10to each of the three selected positions, shown by the dotted lines ofFigure l, will result in a movement of the journal 13 and the platforms1| and 9| to corresponding positions. also shown by dotted lines inFigure 1.

For this purpose, the journal 62 is rotatable in the base plate 2|. Thelower end of the journal 62 has a shoulder |03 which bears against thetop surface of the base plate 2|. A washer |05 surrounds the narrowextension |06 of the journal below the base plate 2| and extends betweenthe undersurface of the base plate 2| and the top surface of the topplate 18 o f the` housing 15. The lower end of the journal 62 isthreaded at |01. and a washer |08 and a nut |09 are placed over thethreaded end so that the top plate 18 of the housing 'I5 is capturedbetween the washers and |08. The housing 15 andthe operating mechanismof the record changer is thus rotatthereof, which carries the journal13, thus may move in an arc as shown by the various dotted lin'epositions of Figures 1, 2 and 8.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8. the journal 12 is flxedly secured to thebase plate 2| by means of a shoulder ||0 thereof which rests on the topof the base plate and an extension thereof of lesser diameter whichpasses through an openvwhen the handle |00 is rotated further. in aclocking of the `base plate 2|. The lower end of the iournal is threadedat ||2, and a lock nut ||3 and washer lllmay be placed thereover, thussecuring the journal accurately in position.

The handle |00 is secured to the hollow post lli which is rotatable inthe journal 12. The lower end of the post ||5 projects beneath thebottom end ||2 of the journal 12 and has keyed thereto a circular plateI|1. Plate I|'| may be locked in position by the washer I i8 and nut H9,

which may secure the same to a shouldered extension of the hollow post||5 beneath the journal 12.

Rotation of the handle |00 thus will result in rotation of post ||5 inthe journal 12 and in corresponding rotation of the plate ll'i.

As is seen in Figure 2, a link |20 is pivotally secured at |2| to theplate and at its opposite end is pivotally secured bythe pin |22 to thelink 23. The opposite end ofthe link |23 is pivotally secured by the pin|24 to the bracket |25 which, in turn, is secured to a side wall ofhousing 15. It will now be clear'that rotation of plate ||1 wil, throughthe' links |20 and |23, result in rotation of the housing 15 about thejournal 62.

.When the operating elements of the record changer are in a position foroperation in connection with ten inch records, all of the elementsoccupy the positions shown by the solid lines in Figures 1, 2 and 8.

When the handle I 00 is rotated from the ten inch to the twelve inchposition in a clockwise direction, the plate ||1is also rotated in aclockwise direction, thus forcing the link |23 to the left and thus alsoforcing the housing 15 to rotate about its pivot 62 one step in acounterclockwise direction. When the handle |00 is rotated once more ina counterclockwise direction to the nonautomatic position, the link |23is again forced one step further to the left, thus causing the housing15 to rotate about its pivot 62 one ste further in a counterclockwisedirection.

By this means, the journal 13 and platform 1| are pushed outwardly onestep to the twelve inch position when,` the handle |00 and the platform10 are rotated to the twelveinch position and are pushed outwardlyanother step when the handle |00 and platform 1| are rotated to thenon-automatic position.

In other words, when the handle |00is rotated clockwise from the solidline position, the platform 1| is moved one inch to the left, and

wise direction, the platform 1| is moved further to the left.

The spacing at the right hand end of the record stack 25 is accomplishedby the variation between the width and the length of platform 10; thelength of platform 10, as shown by the solid line position of Figure 1,being correct for a ten inch record, and the width of the platform 10providing a proper support, one inch further from the spindle, for atwelve inch record.

In order that the journal 13, which positions the platform 1|, may moveproperly when the housing rotates about pivot 82, this journal extendsfrom the top of housing 15 through a slot |a (Figure 9) in the baseplate 2|. The slot |25a may be suillciently wide to permit movement ofthe journal 13, or it may be of a width which is not substantiallygreater than the diameter of journal 13 and have an arcuate form. Theslotl |25a may be concealed by the facing plate |26 secured to journal13.

In order to provide a proper mechanical support for the housing 15 whichwill, nevertheless permit it to rotate about the pivot 62, the top plate18 thereof may be extended to form a slide |28 which may move along theledge |29 secured by the bolts |30, or in any other suitable manner, tothe underside of the base plate 2 The plate ||1, which is secured to thepost ||5 in journal 12, may be provided with notches |32 and 33registering with the arm |34 of the discriminator cam switch |35. Thisswitch is so arranged, as shown in Figure 13, that the solenoid |36,which initiates the record changing operation, cannot operate whenswitch |35 is open. Switch |35 is arranged to be closed, as shown by thesolid line position of Figures 6 and 2, when either notch |32 or |33 isin engagement with arm |34.

When theouter periphery of the plate ||1, however, engages the arm |34,the switch |36 is opened, and the solenoid mechanism cannot op erate.Notch |33 is so arranged that it engages the switch arm |34 in the teninch position; notch |32 engages the switch arm |34 in the twelve inchposition.

The switch |35 will be opened at any inter-mediate position so that themechanism cannot accidentally operate when an improper intermediatesetting has been made (see Figure 13),. 'I'he switch |35 may also beopened when the relatively small notch |38 is in engagement with the arm|34. Notch engages arm |34 when the non-automatic position is attained.

Accordingly, the use of discriminator switch makes it impossible to tripthe mechanism through the use of the tone arm or reject button while theapparatus is set for manual operation'. In addition, the engagement ofthe switch arm |34 with the notches |33, |32 or |36 serves to positionthe platform 10, and consequently the platform 1|, against accidentalmovement out oi position during operation. The arm |34 is sufcientlyresilient, however, so that a manual rotating force applied to thehandle |00 may cause the arm |34 to move out of the notches |33, |32 or|38 and onto the peripheral surface of the cam.

A reject switch |40, which is normally open, is mounted in the bottom ofthe housing |4| which carries the bottom of the journal 12, the

said housing |4| being secured in any suitable manner to the undersideof the base plate 2|. The reject switch will cause the record changingoperation to be performed at any point, whether a record has beenfinished or not, as shown by the circuit diagram of Figure 13. Rejectswitch |40 may be operated by the knob |43 at the topthe lower end ofpost |44, engages the reject switch |40 to -close the same and thusoperate the solenoid mechanism |36 to Operate the record changingmechanism.

Further, rotation of knob |43 to right or lett will serve to operate themaster switch to start and stop the entire phonograph apparatus.

It will thus be seen that all controls are centered at the top of post12 and that no other portion oi theapparatus need be manipulated.

The record changing operation is normally intended to take place whenthe play-back arm 60 is moved by the groove in the record in apredetermined manner as hereinafter set forth.

The play-back arm 60 is pivotally secured at |50, at either side, tovertical brackets I5| mounted on the platform |52. Platform |52 has adependent lug |53 to which one end of the tension spring |54 is secured.The opposite end of the tension spring |54 is secured in an opening |55at the back of the play-back arm 60 and servesA properly to balance theplay-back arm around the pivot point |50, so that the needle carryingend of the play-back arm exerts only sufficient pressure to ensure thatthe play-back arm 60 will drop into place. and that the variations inthe groove of the record will be translated into sound.

Platform |52 is keyed to the hollow post |60, which is rotatable in thejournal 62. Rotation of the play-back arm 60, by reason of theengagement of the needle in the record groove, results consequently inrotation of the post |60.

The lower end of the post |60 is threaded at |6|, and a cam plate |63 issecured thereto by the washers |64 and |65 and the lock nut |61.Rotation of the play-back arm 60 which, therefore, causes rotation ofthe post |60, consequently causes rotation of the cam plate |63.

The shape of the cam plate |63 may more i readily be seen in Figures 4and 6. As seen in b Figure 1l. Switch |10 thus remains open.

Records which are to be played in connection with the record changer areso arranged, however, that when the end of the record is reached, thegroove moves the needle in rather close to the spindle by an increase inthe pitch of the groove and then moves the needle out, slightly awayfrom the spindle; thus momentarily reversing the direction of movementof the needle, and thus likewise, momentarily changing the direction ofthe rotation of the cam plate |63 to a counter clockwise movement withrespect to Figures 6 and 8, or a movement in the direction of the arrow|82 of Figure 11.

During this slight reverse movement, which occurs only momentarily, theoperating arm |13, which is frictio'nally engaged bythe .underside ofthe projection |1| of the cam plate |63, is moved into a position wherethe contacts |84 are closed, thus closing the trip switch and energizingthe solenoid |36, as seen in Figure 13.

The energization of the coil |36 of the solenoid (see Figures 9, 10 and5) causesthe armature |90 thereof to move toward the left and into thecoil against the i'orce of the tension spring |9|. Spring |9| is securedat one end to an ear |92 attached to the end of. the armature |90, andat the other end is secured to a lug |93 on the plate |98 which, inturn, is secured to the underside of operating slide plate 81.

Plate 81 is slidable longitudinally in the housing and is supported insliding relation in respect thereto, as shown in Figure 4, by ballbearings |95, |95 which roll in race-ways |96, |91, The movement of thesliding plate 81 in either direction is, however, limited by theoperating rod which is connected to the flange 81a of the operatingslide plate 81.

The dash-pot 200, as is seen in Figure 10, has a plunger 202 connectedto its rod 20| which resists motion in either direction. Consequently,when the armature |90 is attracted into the solenoid coil |36, since thedash-pot now slows down the movement of the plate |94 and sliding plate81, the spring |9| is thus extended. Thus, while the armature |90 snapsinto the coil |36, the plate 81 moves slowly toward the coil |38 underthe impetus of the tension spring |9|, being slowed down by the dash-pot200.

A lock-in switch 205 is so arranged that the switch arm 206 ismaintained in open circuit position by the lug 201 on the armature |90,

' Lock-in switch 205 is mounted on the plate 9B which is secured to theoperating plate 81. When the armature |90 is now attracted into thesolenoid coil 36, while' the plate 81 is permitted to follow at a muchreduced speed (owing to the dash-pot 200), the lug 201 is thus drawnaway from the operating arm 206 of the lock-inswitch operating arm 20|,cause the plate 81 to move to the right once more.

The speed of, operation of the record changer is thus afunction of theresistance of the dash-l pot 200. The openings in plunger 202 may be Ymade of suiilcient size so that appropriate speed of operation isobtained.

205, thus permitting the lock-in switch 205 to close. As is seen in thecircuit diagram of Figure 13, theclosing of the lock-in switch 205maintains the energization of the solenoid coil |36. Thus, when the tripswitch I 10 is momentarily closed, in the manner previously described,to energize the solenoid coil |36, the solenoid coil immediatelyattracts its armature |90 to close the lock-in switch 205, thus makingsure that the energization oi.' the solenoid will be maintainedirrespective of the opening oi the trip switch |10 until the plate 81has completed its operative movement in one direction.

When the plate 81 has moved to the left in response to the spring |9|so' that the grommet 2|0 on the flange 2|| of the plate |94 bearsagainst the flange 2|2 of the armature |90. the operating arm 206 of thelock-in switch 205 is opened, thus deenergizing the solenoid coil |36and permitting movement of the plate 8lk in the opposite direction, thatis, to the right.

A compression spring 2|5 may be provided in the dash-pot to cause theplunger 202 thereof to move to the right when the movement to the lefthas been completed. The spring |9| should be a much more powerful springthan the spring 2|5 so that it may move the plate 81 toward the solenoidcoil |36 against the force of spring 2|5 as well as against theresistance exerted by the dash-pot plunger 202.

When the .solenoid c oil |38 is deenergzed, then the armature |90thereof is permitted to move to the right, thus permitting spring |9| tomove as a whole to the right, and thus permitting plate 81 to move tothe right No opposition is, therefore, interposed to the expansion ofcompression spring 2|5, except the resistance of plunger 202 of thedash-pot 200. Consequently, spring- 2|5 may, through the dash-potp1unger202 and its Obviously, since the play-back arm is to be returnedand placed once more accurately in position and since the record is tobe dropped by this operation, the speed of movement of plate 81 shouldnot be too great, But I have found that with my device, the operationmay be speeded upto such an extent that the time between the closing oftrip switch |10 at the end of one record and the engagement of theneedle with the groove of the second record which is dropped into yplacemay be as little as ll/z seconds.

'Thus when the cam plate |63 is rotated so that the trip switch |10 isclosed momentarily, the solenoid coil |38 is energized to attractarmature thus closing lock-in switch 205. The solenoid coil thus remainsenergized even though trip switch |10 opens momentarily.

The spring |9| causes the plate 81 to follow the armature |90 toward theleft, but at a reduced speed owing to the resistance offered by dash-pot200. When the movement toward the left has been completed, lock-inswitch 205 is opened, thus deenergizing solenoid coil |36. Compressionspring 2 I5 in the dash pot may now move the plate 81 to the right.

As has previously been pointed out, the movement of plate 81 to the leftcauses the pin 85,

l=kewise, to move to the left thus rotating link 84 and hence rotatingthe post 82 which, in turn, rotates platforms 1| and 9| to permit arecord to drop from beneath the stack 25 onto the turntable.Simultaneously, the cup-shaped depression 230 (Figure 9) in theoperating plate 81 also moves to the left.

The sliding post 23|.is so arranged that the lower end thereof normallyrests in the cupshaped depression 230.

When the operating plate 81 moves to the left, the post 23| is caused torise onto the plane surface of plate 81 thus also raising the upper end232 of post 23|. Post 23| is slidable in the axial bore in the rotatableplay-back arm 60. The upper end 232 of post 23| bears against the plate235 which is secured in any suitable manner to the underside of theplay-back arm '60.

Raising of post 23| by the movement of operating plate 81 thus causesthe end 232 of the post to raise plate235, thus causing the play-back.arm 60 to rotate about its pivot |50 to the dotted line position ofFigure 9. This movement thus disengages the needle in the play-back armfrom the groove of the record. Likewise, during the movement of plate 81to the left, the curved end 240 thereof engages the pin 24| mounted onthe underside of the cam plate |83.

The cup-shaped depression 230 and the curved surface 240 of theoperating plate 81 are so arranged that the post 23| is raised beforethe curved end 240 of the plate 81 engages the pin 24|. Engagement ofthe curved surface 240 of the plate 81 with the pin 24| causes the camplate |63 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction with respect to theview of Figure 4, thus rotating the post |60 and hence rotating theplay-back arm 60 away from the spindle and beyondthe outer periphery ofthe tum-table.

vTo summarize, therefore, the initial movement of the plate 81 raisesthe post 23| to raise the play-back arm 66 and disengages the needlefrom the groove. Further movement of theplate 61 to the left, withrespect to Figure 4, causes the play-back arm to rotate away from thespindle and beyond the periphery of the turntable, and likewise, beyondthe periphery of any record which may be mounted 4above or on theturn-table.

At this time also the rotation of the post 62 of platforms 1| and 6| iscompleted, and platform 1| is rotated out from beneath vthe stack whenthe'play-back arm hasbeen rotated to a position beyond the periphery ofthe turn-table; andthe lowest record in the'stack 25 has begun to dropdown onto the turn-table 26.

When the plate 61 has completed its movement to the left, the pin 256 isforced upwardly into the opening 25| in the cam plate |63. Pin 256has anannular flange 252 which will enable itl to engage the upper surface ofthe plate |63 on either side of the slot 255. Pin 256 is mounted on theplate 256 which is secured to a exible leaf hinge^251 which, in turn, ismounted on bracket 256 secured in any suitable manner to the plate 61'.

A hold-down spring 266 is secured, as shown in Figures 4 and 9, in anysuitable manner to the underside of the top plate 18 of the housing.Hold-down spring 266, when its bearing surface 26| is engaged with theportion ofthe plate 256 to the left of bracket 258, causes the pin 256to bedepressed. As the plate 61 is moved to the left, the hold-downspring remainsv stationary, nevertheless, maintaining the pin 256kandits plate 256 in lowered position.

When the supporting bracket 256 passes the bearing surface 26| of thehold-down spring, then the end 26| of the spring is engaged with the end263 of the plate 256, thus causing the plate 256 to rotate upwardly. Atthis time, the pin 256 has moved into registry with the opening 25| -andis snapped up into this opening.

When the .plate 61 commences its return movement, pin 256 enters theslot 255, and the flange 252 thereof engages .the upper. surface of thematerial surrounding slot 255, thus preventing the pin from droppingdown. Slot 255 is so arranged that when the plate 61 now moves to theright during its return movement, the pin 256 will cause the cam plate|63 to rotate thus rotating the post |66 and, therefore, moving theplay-back arm 66 in towards the periphery of the record on theturn-table.

Slot 255 is so curved that this rotative movement will be stopped whenthe needle on the play-back arm 66 registers with the outermost grooveof the record on the turn-table. The pin 256, thereafter, withdrawsthrough portion 265 of slot 255, and when it withdraws entirely from thecam plate, the hold-down spring 266 depresses it once more. Before thepin 256 has withdrawn entirely from slot 255, the play-back arm 66 isimmediately above the outermost groove of the record which is now to beplayed.

At this time, the plate 61 in its continued movement toward the right,brings the cup-shaped depression 230 lunder the post 23| thus permittingthe play-back arm 66 to drop down to engage the needle with the groovein the surface of the record; the pin- 256 then withdraws completely.Atthe same time, andby this return movement of the plate 81. post 62 isrotated 'now in a counterclockwise Vdirection to rotate the platform 9|outrof supporting relation with respect to the remainder off/the stack25 and to move ready for the next record-changing operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the spindle 24 may be of a diameter over mostof its extent, which is substantially equal to the diameter of theopening 61 of the records,l |but slightly smaller than this opening sothat records may be mounted on the spindle 24. The diameter of thevspindle '24 may, however, be narrowed at 216 lin the area thereof,which is in registry with the perforations in the center of the recordin the stack, so that the records of the stack 25 may slide slightly tothe left to permit the records to drop. That is, when the edge 94 of thelowest record in the stack is released from the platform 1| and dropsdown, the perforation 91 may move slightlyA to the left owing to thedecreased diameter of the spindle at the portion 216 thereof, thus`permitting the beveled edge 95 to slide of! the platform 16.

All of the operations hereinbefore described take place whether therecord changer is set for ten inch or twelve inch records. of the recordchanging operation does not depend on the completion of a particular arcof rotation by the play-back arm, but on a slight reverse movementthereof. Consequently, no change need be made -in this respect when thesetting of thev record changer is changed from a ten inch to a twelveinch record. Likewise, thev when the housing 15 is rotated to the left,as

previously described, to change the setting from ten inch to twelve inchrecord operation, the play-back arm is, during its return movement,nevertheless, moved to the 'same degree with respect to the operatingmechanism in housing 15; and thus registry with the outermost groove inthe record to be played is ensured.

Many modifications and .variations of the device hereinabove describedmay, of course. be made. One such modification which has been foundcommercially acceptable is shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 1'1.

A leaf spring 266 may be secured in any suitable manner as, forinstance, by the bolt 26| to the side of the housing 15. The leaf springbears against the pin 24| on the cam plate |63. The spring action of thespring 266 is shown in each of the figures by the arrows 26| 'and 262.

When a record is not being played, or While a record is made, the springbears against the pin 24| so that the force exerted thereon, as shown inFigure 14, tends to move the pin 24| counterclockwise with respect tothe post |66, thus tending to move the play-back arm 66 away from theturn-table 26.

When the record changer is usedvfor automatically changing records,then, after the apparatus hereinbefore described has rotated the camplate |63 to the position shown in Figure 15 by the'engagement of thepin 256, previously mentioned, with the slot 255v and has caused thevneedle in the play-back arm to set down on the in Figure 15, causingthe pin 24| to rotate in the The initiation means, therefore, theapparatus is made foolproof. While pin 250 with the slot 255 in camplate |83 returns the play-back arm 80 to therecord -and causes theneedle to drop down, there is a possibility in certain records that theneedle .will

drop down on the edge of the record at a very.

slight distance from the rst groove. This may occur either owing toslight variations vin the diameter of the records, or owing tovariations in the spacing of the first groove from .the edge of therecord.

The leaf spring 29| and its projection 285 ensures that the playdbackarm 60 will then be rotated inwardly until the needle carried therebyengages the first groove. Thereafter, when the play-back arm 60 hasplayed one-fourth to onehalf inch in the record, the pin 24| moves outof engagement with the end 285 of the-leaf spring and side pressure onthe operating arm 60 and, therefore, side pressure'of the needle in thegroove is eliminated. s In prior record changing devices where feed-isprings are outlined, the feed-in springsusually are designed to exert acontinual pull on the playback arm toward the center of the turntable fduring the entire playing of the record. With' such devices, it hasbeen'very-dimcult to play home recordings, since the arm skips thegrooves, and inherent in this'de'sign is a tendency to distort due tothe unequal needle pressure on one side of the groove. In the presentdevice,.the feed-in spring 280 serves to ensure that the needle on theplay-back arm 60 will definitely,v engage the iirst groove in therecord. The spring 28| is, however, very quickly disassociated from theplay-back arm 60 as the play-back arm 60 moves slightly inwardly on therecord, thus removing any possibility of distortion from this cause.Furthermore, the tendency imparted by the device, shown in Figures 14 to17, toghold the play-back arm away from .the turn-table when notactually playing is also a distinct advantage.

The members of Figures 14 to 17 inclusive may, of course, be used in theapparatus described in connection with Figures 1-13 and are not'intended as a substitute. for any of the elements of Figures 1 to 13.

The operationwof each of the elements of my invention has been describedin connection with the description of the various parts thereof. In`

actual use, where, for instance, ten inch records are to |be played, theoperator will rotatev the handle |00 o f Figure 1 so that the platform10 is setfor the ten inch position. This will automatically set theplatform 1|l for4 the ten inch position in the manner previouslydescribed, byl

reason of the link arrangement |0|.

A stack of records 2 5 may then b e placed on the spindle 24-so that thelowest record rests on platforms 10 and 1|. The needle of the play-backarm 60 may be brought into engagement with a record-on the turn-table,or the reject button |43 may be pressed to initiate the operation.Pressing the reject button |43 energizes the solenoid coil |36 to drawthe plate 81 to the left. Movement of plate 81 to the left causesrotation of platforms 1| and 9| in the manner previously described.

Platform 1| rotates out of engagement with the left hand end of thelowest record in the be played.

tion 91 thereof consequently moves slightly to the left by reason of thenarrow diameter 210 of the vertical spindle 24. The right` hand edge 95of the lowest record then slides out from under the stack 25 and off theplatform 10 into position to The return movement of plate 81 returns theplay-back arm to the outermost edge of the record now on the turn-tableand causes the arm to drop down. The needle of the arm either drops intothe outermost groove or is pushed into the outermost groove by the leafspring 280. When the record on the turn-table is completed, the groovethereof is so designed as to create a momentary reverse movement of theplay-back arm 60. This causes a slight reverse movement of portion |1|of camplate |63, thus closing trip switch |10 and thereby energizing thesolenoid coil |38.

Movement of plate 81 to the left occurs on the energization of solenoidcoil |36 in the manner previously pointed out, thus, first raising theplay-back arm 50 and then rotating it out beyond the periphery of theturn-table. l

When rotation of the play-back arm 60 beyond the periphery of theturn-table has been completed, the platforms 1| and 9| have rotated todepressing of the reject button |43 will, in the vmanner previouslypointed out, initiate the record-changing operationvonce more.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention in connection with thevarious portions thereof in connection with preferred commerciallyacceptable embodiments. Many variationsmay be made in each of theindividual elements without departing from the spirit of my invention.Since such variations should now be obvious to those skilled in the art,I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein, but only bythe appended claims.

.I claim:

1. In* a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and anarm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table,said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; arecord changer com'- prising a pair of supporting members on oppositesides of said turn table, said supporting members including platformsextending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced tosupport a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in thestack; said spindle extending vertically above said turn table to apoint substantially above the plane of said platforms; one of saidplatforms being operable to non-supporting position to release an edgeof the lowest record in the stack, and means carried bysaid platform`engageable with the edge of the next record to support thesame when saidplatform is operated to non-supporting position; said spindle having adiameter substantially less than the diameter 4 mount for the other ofsaid platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries atdifferent distances from said rotatable .mount and' extending from itssupport toward said turn table for different distances at differentangular positions thereof; and members interconnecting the rotatablemount for said other platform with the slidable mount for the firstplatform whereby movement of a platform to vary its setting for aspecific record size will move the other platform to a correspondingsetting. 2. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindleand an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turntable, said record disc having an opening through which said spindlepasses; a record changer comprising a pair of supporting members onopposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members includingplatforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table andspaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest recordin the stack; one of said platforms being operable to non-supportingposition to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and meanscarried by said platform engageable with the edgeof the next record tosupport the same when said platform is operated to non-supportingposition; and means for varying the spacing between said platforms toaccommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slldablemount for the support of one of said platforms and a rotatable mount forthe other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality ofboundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount andextending from its support toward said turn table for differentdistances at different angular positions thereof; a connecting memberbetween the mounts of said platforms; a shift handle mounted on saidother platform; rotation of said shift handle causing longitudinalmovement of said connecting member and varying the spacing of saidplatforms.

3. In a phonograph having a rotatable turn table and a tone arm carryinga needle; said tone arm being mounted on a rotatable post; a recordchanger including operating mechanism therefor; said operating mechanismcomprising a main camplate; means for initially moving said platelongitudinally in one direction, and means for effecting a return ofsaid plate; means interconnecting said main cam plate, and saidrotatable post carrying said tone arm for rotating said post in onedirection during movement of said plate in said initial direction andfor rotating said post in an opposite direction during return movementof said plate; and means for raising said tone arm during operation oisaid main cam plate; said means comprising a depression in said plate;and a rod centrally supported in said rotatable post and extendingvertically from the base of said depression to said tone arm; movementof said plate in said initial direction causing said rod to rise out ofsaid depression onto the main surface of said plate and raising saidtone arm; said rod registering with and descending intonsaiddepression/upon completion of said return movement of said plate.

4. In a phonograph having a rotatable turn table and a tone arm carryinga needle; said tone arm being mounted on a rotatable post; av

record changer including operating mechanism therefor; said operatingmechanism comprising a main cam plate; means for initially moving saidplate longitudinally in one direction, and means for effecting a returnof said plate; means for causing said rotatable post to rotate in afirst direction on movement of said main cam plate in said initialdirection; and means for effecting rotation of said post in an oppositedirection on return movement of said main cam plate; said last mentionedmeans comprising a cam secured to the lower end of said post androtatable therewith from a first position to a. second position onrotation of said post in said first direction; a slot in said cam; a pinon said main cam plate introducibie into said slot on completion of themovement of said main cam plate in saidinitial direction and when thecam carried by said rotatable post is in the second position; said pinby its entry into and movement in said slot'eiecting rotation of saidcam from said second position to said first position during yreturnmovement of said main cam plate; said pin being biased to a position outof engagement with said cam; means urging said pin against said biasinto registry with said slot on completion of movement of said main camplate in said initial direction; and means for maintaining said pinwithin with said slot during return movement of said main cam plate.

5. In a phonograph, a rotatable turn table having a spindle and adaptedto carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carrying a needle and mountedon a. rotatable post; a record changer including operating mechanism forrotating said post in one direction to carry said tone arm away fromsaid spindle and beyond the edge of a record disc mounted on said turntable, and for thereafter rotating said post in anopposlte direction tocarry said tone arm toward the edge of a. record disc to permit theneedle carried by said tone arm to engage the groove of said disc inproximity to the edge of said disc; and additional means urging saidpost toward rotative movement in said opposite direction beyond themovement imparted thereto by the operating mechanism of the recordchanger; said additional means being rendered inoperative after theneedle carried by the tone arm engages the groove 0f the record disc;said additional means including a member secured to said rotatable postand extending therefrom at a distance from the center of rotationthereof; a stationarily mounted spring engageable with said member whensaid post has approached the limit of rotation thereof in said onedirection; said spring bearing against said member and urging continuedrotation of said post in said opposite direction when said operatingmechanism has completed the 'movement of the post in said oppositedirection; said member being thereafter disengaged from said spring oncontinued movement of said tone arm toward the spindle of said turntable.

6. In a phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, arotatably mounted tone arm engageable with-a record on said turn table.and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements;operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plateoperable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out ofengagement with a record disc on said turn table and to initiate theoperation of said record releasing elements and operable on returnmovement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc onsaid turn table and complete the operation of said record releasingelements, and a. solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said onedirection; said solenoid having an armature; a fiange on said cam plate;a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, uponasado determined direction toincrease the bias of said spring, the saidspring thereafter drawing said cam plate in the direction determined bythe bias of the spring; and means connected to said `cam plate forpredetermining the speed of movement of said cam plate in response tothe bias of the spring.

7. In a phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, arotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table.and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements;operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plateoperable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out ofengagement with a record disc on saidturn table and to initiate theoperation of said record releasing elements and operable on returnmovement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc onsaid turn table and complete the operation of said record releasingelements, and a solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said lonedirection; said solenoid having an armature; a ilange on said cam plate;a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, uponenergization of said solenoid, moving in a predetermined direction toincrease the tone arm out of engagement with a record disc on said turntable and to initiate the operation of said record releasing elementsand operable on return movement to rotate said tone arm into engagementwith a record disc on said turn table and complete the operation of saidrecord releasing elements,and a solenoid for moving said main cam platein said one direction; said solenoid bias of said spring, the saidspring thereafter drawing said cam plate in the direction determined bythe bias of the spring; said solenoid being denergized upon completionof said movement of the cam plate in said one direction, and means forreturningv said cam plate to its original position upon de-energizationof said sole'- noid, and additional means connected to said cam platefor predetermining the speed of the movement of said cam plate in eitherdirection.

8. In a phonograph, a turn table adaptedvto carry a record disc, arotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table,and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements;operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plateoperable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out ofengagement with a record disc on said turn table and to initiatethe'operation of said'record releasing elements and operable on returnmovement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc onsaid turn. table and complete the operation of said record releasingelements, and a solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said onedirection; said solenoid having an armature; a flange on said cam plate;a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, uponenergization of saidsolenoid, moving in a predetermined direction toincrease the bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawingsaid cam plate in the direction determined by the bias of the spring;said solenoid being de-energized upon completion of said movement of thecam plate in said one direction, and a spring for returning said camplate toits original position upon deenergization of said solenoid, anda dash-pot connected to said cam plate for controlling the speed ofmovement of said cam plate in either direction.

9. In la phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, arotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table,and a record changer including record supporting and having an armature;a flange on said cam plate;`

a spring connecting said ilange and said armature; said armature, uponenergization of said solenoid, moving in a predetermined direction toincrease the bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawingsaid cam plate'in the direction determined by the bias of the spring; aswitch mounted on said cam plate for controlling the energization ofsaid solenoid, said switch being maintained in an open position by saidarmature, being closed upon movement of said armature; said switchengaging said armature once more and being opened on completion of themovement of said cam plate in said one direction.

10. In a phonograph, a rotatable-horizontal turn table mounted on aspindle and adapted to carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carryinga needle at one end and mounted on a vertical rotatable post, said tonearm extending substan- -tially horizontally; said tone arm beingrotatable above said turn table between two limiting positions, thefirst of said positions being that wherein the needle carrying end ofthe tone arm projects to a point substantially outside the periphery ofa record disc mounted on the turn table, the other position being thatwherein the needle carrying end of the tone arm is in proximity to thecenter of a record disc mounted on the turn table; said tone arm beingmounted on a rotatable post; a projection on said post; a memberengaging said projection and biasing said tone arm toward said rstposition when said tone arm is moved outwardly beyond the periphery of arecord disc on the turn table; and biasing said tone arm inwardly towardthe periphery of said record disc on the occurrence of an initial inwardrotational movement of said tone arm, said member being disengaged fromsaid projection on the continuance of said inward rotational movement.

11. In a phonograph, a rotatable horizontal turn table mounted on aspindle andadapted t0 carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carrying aneedle at one end and mounted on a vertical rotatable post, said tonearm extending substantially horizontally; said tone arm being rotatableabove said turn table between two limiting positions, the first of saidpositions being that wherein the needle carrying end of the tone armprojects to a point substantially outside the periphery of a record discmounted on the turn table, the other position being that wherein the`:needle carrying end of the tone arm is in proximity to the center ofarecord disc mounted on the turn table; said tone arm beingkmounted on arotatable post; a projection on said post; a

'member engaging said projection and biasing said rotational movement ofsaid tone arm, said member being disengaged from said projection on thereleasing elements; operating mechanism for said record changerincluding a main camv plate operable on movement in one direction to-rotate said continuance of said inward rotational movement, saidprojection comprising an arm secured to said post, said membercomprising a stationary spring metal arm nxed at one end; the other endengageable with said post arm.

12. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and anarm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table,said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; arecord changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sidesof said turn table, said supporting members including vplatformsextending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced tosupport a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in thestack; said spindle extending vertically above said turn table to apoint substantially above theplane of said platforms; one of saidplatforms being operable to non-supporting position to release an edgeof the lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platformengageable with the edge of the next record to support the same whensaid platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means forvarying the spacing between said platforms to accommodate records ofdifferent sizes; said means including a slidable mount for the supportof one of said platforms and a rotatable mount for the other of saidplatforms: said other platform having a plurality of boundaries atdiierent distances from said rotatable mount and extending from itssupport toward said turn table for different distances at differentangular positions thereof; and members interconnecting the rotatablemount for said other platform with the slidable mount for the firstplatform whereby movement of a platform to vary its setting for aspecific record size will move the other platform to a correspondingsetting.

13. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and anarm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table,said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; arecord changer comprislng a pair of supporting members on opposite sidesof said turn table, said supporting members including platformsextending in a -plane substantially. above said turn table and spaced tosupport a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in thestack; and means for varying the spacing between saidplatforms toaccommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slidablemount for the support of one of said platforms and a rotatable mount forthe other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality ofboundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount andextending from its support toward said turn table for differentdistances at di'erent angular. positions thereof; and membersinterconnecting the rotatable mount for said other platform with theslidable mount for the first platform whereby movement of a platform tolvary its setting for a speciilc record size will move the otherplatform to a corresponding setting.

14. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and anarm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table;said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes arecord changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sidesof said turn table, said supporting members including platformsextending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced tosupport a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in thestack; record changer operating mechanism connected to one of saidsupporting members, one of said platforms being movable by saidoperating mechanism to non-supporting position to release an edge of thelowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platformengageable with the edge of the next record to support the same whensaid platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means forvarying the spacing between platforms to accommodate records ofdifferent sizes; said means including a slidable mount for one of saidplatforms; and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms; saidother platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distancesfrom said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward saidturn table for different distances at diierent angular positionsthereof.

15. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and anarm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table,said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; arecord changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sidesof said turn table, said supporting members including platformsextending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to'support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in thestack; record changer operating mechanism connected to one of saidsupporting members, one of said platforms being movable by saidoperating mechanism lto non= supporting position to release an edge ofthe lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platformengageable with the edge of the next recordto support -the same when'Vsaid platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means forvarying the spacing between said platforms to accommodate records ofdifferent sizes;

said means including a slidable mount for one of said platforms, and arotatable mount for the other of said platforms; said other platformhaving a plurality of boundaries at different distances from saidrotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn tablefor diiferent distances at different angular positions thereof: an armextending from said rotatable mount of said other platform; and a linkinterconnecting said arm and'operating mechanism of said first platform,whereby rotation of said rotatable support of said other platform willcause a movement of the operating vmechanism and sliding of the platformconnected thereto.

PAUL srnAD GAY.

